Archive for February, 2016

Bryan, Texas, January 22, 2016– Cyclists from across the state and beyond are invited to this inaugural Gran Fondo on Sunday, April 24, 2016, set in the scenic countryside in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The ride will feature routes in distances of 100 miles, 70 miles, 40 miles and also a family bike parade. The races will start and finish at the Atlas Development, where everyone is invited to the Post Ride Party.The charity ride celebrates cancer survivorship in the Brazos Valley and beyond with proceeds benefiting CHI St. Joseph Health cancer services.

As a prologue to the CHI St. Joseph Gran Fondo, the CHI St. Joseph Gran Gravel Race will start on Friday. Ultra Endurance Riders will be unsupported on a route of approximately 500 miles. The final 100 miles of the route follows the 100 mile route of the CHI St. Joseph Health Foundation Gran Fondo.

The CHI St. Joseph Health Gran Fondo is sponsored by Atlas Development and Traditions Club as the Official Host Sponsor, Bike Barn as the Official Cycling Sponsor, Aggieland Cycling as the Official SAG Sponsor and other local businesses. For more information on the event and sponsors, visit granfondobcs.com.

An expo will take place Saturday, April 23, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and include packet pick-up for participants, vendor booths, bike tune ups, tribute banner signing, and fun activities. On Sunday, April 24, the CHI St. Joseph Gran Fondo begins. Participants start at 7:00 am with 100, 70, 40 mile riders beginning in that order, with the Family Bike Parade being last.

Families are encouraged to ride on our neighborhood route. The route will be approximately 6 miles in length with one water stop along the way. Throughout the day, spectators can enjoy food, drink, and entertainment including live music and activities for children. All Gran Fondo riders will receive finisher’s medals and event photography will be on hand. Rest Stops will be available along the routes.

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About CHI St. Joseph Health

Established in 1936, CHI St. Joseph Health is a faith-based, not-for-profit health system committed to excellence and compassion in caring for the mind, body and spirit while creating healthier communities. CHI St. Joseph Health is comprised of five hospital facilities across the Brazos Valley, including CHI St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, the region’s highest level trauma center. CHI St. Joseph Health Medical Group operates more than a dozen primary and specialty care clinics around the region, offering expert care, closer to home. St. Joseph Health System is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), one of the nation’s largest health systems. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CHI operates in 18 states and comprises more than 105 hospitals, including four academic medical centers and teaching hospitals; 24 critical-access facilities; community health services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home health agencies; and other services that span the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care. For more information, visit chistjoseph.org.

New to Market Non-Surgical Weight Loss Procedure at CHI St. Joseph Health

Bryan, TX, February 4, 2016 – CHI St. Joseph Health now offers a new option for adults who do not qualify for weight loss surgery. The ReShape Dual Balloon is an option for those with a BMI of between 30-40 who haven’t succeeded at weight loss with diet and exercise alone.

The approximately 20-minute non-surgical procedure, performed by Dr. John Mason, is the first step of a 12-month program to a healthier lifestyle. Comprehensive dietary support and follow-up is done at Dr. Mason’s office and is integrated into established bariatric patient management, in order to achieve successful weight loss. Currently in the Brazos Valley, the ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon is available only through Dr. Mason’s office at CHI St. Joseph Health.

The ReShape Procedure includes individual nutrition and exercise coaching from Dr. Mason’s weight loss team, and access to the innovative ReShape Patient Portal that provides a unique experience as patients track their food intake, exercise and weight loss. The portal includes an online support community where patients can interact with each other and receive helpful tips and healthy recipes. ReShape also provides patients with support tools including a portion plate to kick start behavior modification, a wireless Fitbit® scale and a Fitbit activity tracker that automatically sync to the patient portal.

“The ReShape Integrated Dual Balloon gives patients a truly innovative and effective choice as a non-surgical weight loss option, but it is only part of the solution,” said Dr. Mason. “With the dual balloon in place, partaking in counseling and access to the support tools we provide are crucial to helping patients adjust their eating habits and adapt a healthier life style for long term success. Patients can feel confident that my team and ReShape will work with them to take advantage of all of the tools available in the 12-month program.”

The ReShape Dual Balloon is a next generation technology designed to enhance performance of an intragastric balloon. In a recent U.S. study, patients that had the ReShape Procedure lost 2.3 times as much weight as a control group that received diet and exercise coaching only. In a study of the ReShape Procedure in commercial use in Europe, ReShape patients on average lost 32 pounds, or 47% of their excess weight at six months and maintained 98% of their weight loss at one year.
###About CHI St. Joseph Health

Established in 1936, CHI St. Joseph Health is a faith-based, not-for-profit health system committed to excellence and compassion in caring for the mind, body and spirit while creating healthier communities. CHI St. Joseph Health is comprised of five hospital facilities across the Brazos Valley, including CHI St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital, the region’s highest level trauma center. CHI St. Joseph Health Medical Group operates more than a dozen primary and specialty care clinics around the region, offering expert care, closer to home. St. Joseph Health System is a part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), one of the nation’s largest health systems. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, CHI operates in 18 states and comprises more than 105 hospitals, including four academic medical centers and teaching hospitals; 24 critical-access facilities; community health services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home health agencies; and other services that span the inpatient and outpatient continuum of care. For more information, visit chistjoseph.org.